Roller Coaster

Thank you all for praying for our friends! I know that when you do not have that close connection or know the person very well, it can be hard to remember to pray. I thank you for remembering.

Though the 48 hours has not passed since ND had his biopsy, the surgeon approached the family yesterday with this news, as shared by ND's mom:

''Today we experienced the immeasurable mercy of our God. After [ND]'s surgery, we were told by the surgeon that he has a rare and deadly form of pancreatic cancer. We mourned, worshiped, and began preparing ourselves for the coming journey...''

Your heart is sinking, right? Tummy is coming up to the back of your mouth, isn't it? You feel the downward pull of this roller coaster, and though you are screaming the whole way down, you raise your hands to the air, quite possibly because it is all you can do, all you know to do: Scream and praise at the same time. But this hill, though steep and the speed of its decent terrifying, did not last too long (though quite long enough, I think!) for ND's family. His mother also shared this news:

"Two hours later, we were told that a mis-communication had occurred. He actually has lymphoma, a cancer with a 90% cure rate in children!"

Now you're breathless aren't you? Just for a second, anyway? Are you looking at your prayer partners on this roller coaster ride and smiling now, catching your breath enough to let out a great big

Wa-Hoooooooooo!!!! Whoop-whoop-WHOOOOOOOPIEEE!!!!!!!!

We know that there will be some more quick drops on this ride to healing, but doesn't it seem that those drops are little compared to what was initially thought? I never knew I would be thankful for a MIScommunication.

So, keep praying that this prognosis stands...or really, if I am fully honest with myself, keep praying that the news gets

even better

in these 48 hours following ND's biopsy.
~~~~~

I read not too long ago that so many times we have an attitude of prayer that goes something like this, both ends punctuated with weary sighs and a shaking head:

"Well....all we can do now is pray."

This should not be our response to these dreadful stumbles in the path, should it?? This thought seems to stop that roller coaster on its descent, keeping us looking down, down, down that steep decline, ever wondering if we will fit through that tunnel at the very very end, much less get through it to the other side. It gives too much room to wondering if this cart we are in will loose its grip and just fall forever. That attitude does not leave much room for the praise: it leaves us paralyzed, holding on tight to ourselves, possibly looking over the sides to see how exactly we can climb ourselves out of this sudden stop. It certainly does not lend much thought for the exhilaration of being brought out on the other side in awe, in anticipation for being amazed by the hand of God again and again. What I read "not too long ago" suggested that an attitude change will also change our response, the intent of our prayers, and the faith we use to pray them. Instead of saying, " <*sigh*>--all we can do now...." we should say, as we approach our gracious Father:

Now...NOW!... we. can. do. ALL

Thank you for joining us in DOING ALL! I love you!